"Several members of our committee think the cooking-classes in Freetown are going to be very necessary. Referred to the other members of the committee; the rest of them are girls." He sat down amid applause. There were cries for one or two of the other members of the committee. "It's true!" said a tall, energetic-looking girl, as she rose and spoke very decidedly. "It makes a great difference with the morals of people what they eat. And some of us girls think the best thing we could do to help in the social settlement will be to volunteer our services as cooks in the housekeeping department, and teach the colored girls over there the best ways, and help fit them for service. You needn't laugh, because some of us _can_ cook. Our mothers have taught us how. And we are ready to do our share." She sat down amid a generous clapping of hands, and in the midst of it Mr. Douglass walked in. "I think we are ready to hear from the pastor now," said the president, as Mr. Douglass sat down near him. "No; go on, and let me know what you have been doing," said the minister. He looked tired, but his face brightened as he looked over the room and saw the faces of the young people. There was inspiration in the life there. The president gave an outline of the work suggested by the committees. "It is only a beginning of what we can do, I'm sure," the president said in conclusion; "but we want to be of use, and we are ready to learn." "Thank God!" cried Howard Douglass to himself softly, while his eyes filled with tears. "'For Christ and the church.' Why, we can turn the world out of the hand of evil into the arms of good if we only have enough volunteer service like this." He stayed a long time, talking over plans with the society; and, when he finally walked home, he carried in his heart a great encouragement that in the coming fight for souls in Freetown he had for helpers the united, enthusiastic, whole-hearted service of his society. The next few weeks saw the history of the new movement made very fast. One of the daily papers of Merton volunteered to receive money for an endowment fund, and even agreed to publish a series of articles on social settlements, in order to awaken interest in the movement and show that they were of practical value in the solution of great human problems. This series was actually printed and eagerly read by the subscribers. It was so popular that the editor followed it up with another series on the proposed plan to redeem Freetown, accompanied by sketches of the building, a description of its general plan, and a detailed account of the premium list for the best houses and gardens in the district.